Unfortunately I’m now experiencing a similar situation. After a safety breach by the host (entering my private room without knocking) I called Airbnb and said I didn’t feel safe there. They agreed and had me transferred to a hotel for the rest of my stay.
As I was checking out, the host asked me why I was leaving and I asked her to contact Airbnb directly. She kept asking, and made a very unstable impression, which made me feel uncomfortable but at the end accepted that I didn’t want to deal with her directly.
Before I left I asked her to inspect the room and confirm everything was okay. She did so, and after her confirmation I left.
On the same evening she sent a request to pay damages at the amount of EUR 1800 (!) claiming I burnt her floor with a clothes iron.
I couldn’t believe my eyes! Never in my life have I used a clothes iron. I wear jeans with worn out t-shirts, for crying out loud. This is the most unfounded accusation.
The host then attached 2 photos. One of a mark on the floor, another one of a clothes iron. Obviously, the pictures (if not photoshopped) only show that there’s damage but don’t say anything about who caused the damage or when it was caused.
I find it amazing how easy it can be for
someone to falsely accuse someone else, and how people have so little regard to each other and do such a thing.
I obviously denied the request to pay EUR 1800, as I’m innocent, and she got Airbnb involved.
I truly hope that Airbnb can see this for what it was: retaliation from the host for me having contacted the safety center. I explained to Airbnb in writing that I’m innocent, that I didn’t cause any damage and that the host confirmed the room was alright before I left the apartment.
That being said, this situation really irritates and saddens me. It absolutely sucks being accused of something you didn’t do, regardless of the amount.
This is costing me peace, tranquility and precious hours of sleep. I’m just your regular working Joe, and needed to save a lot in order to spend a week in Oslo and take language classes in this expensive city. I wish this host would take a conscience check and refrain from pursuing this outrageous, unfounded claim. As for the rest of my week, it’s now ruined anyway.
Airbnb’s safety team helped me when I needed the most and I’m very thankful for it. I just hope their claims team is just as good, sees how unfounded this claim is and judges in my favor.